Missile actuated target lever

ABSTRACT

A target type game apparatus which includes a generally hollow frame member which has a generally centrally disposed open-top receptacle for receiving a plurality of balls, or the like. The receptacle has a central launching position defined by a hole in the bottom wall of the receptacle. The hole opens to the interior of the frame member and has a smaller diameter than the diameter of any one of the balls so that a ball may seat in the hole in a launching position. A ramp-like chute feeds the balls one-at-atime to the hole in launching position. A plurality of lever members are pivoted intermediate their ends to the sides of the frame member about the central receptacle. One end of each lever member is exposed exteriorly of the frame member and defines a target area for striking by an object, e.g., throwing a bean bag at the target area. The opposite end of each lever member is disposed within the hollow frame member and defines a trigger adapted to strike the underside of a ball positioned in the launching hole and propel the ball from the receptacle generally in the direction which the respective target area faces, in response to the target area being struck by an object.

United States Patent [191 Morrison et a1.

[ Jan. 29, 1974 MISSILE ACTUATED TARGET LEVER [75] Inventors: Howard J. Morrison, Highland Park; Donald Frederick Nix, Des Plaines, both of I11.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 205,837

[52] US. Cl 273/l02.1 G, 124/1 [51] Int. Cl A63b 71/00 [58] Field of Search... 273/95 R, 102.1 R, 102.1 G,

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm-James F. Coffee et a1.

[ ABSTRACT A target type game apparatus which includes a generally hollow frame member which has a generally centrally disposed open-top receptacle for receiving a plurality of balls, or the like. The receptacle has a central launching position defined by a hole in the bottom wall of the receptacle. The hole opens to the interior of the frame member and has a smaller diameter than the diameter of any one of the balls so that a ball may seat in the hole in a launching position. A ramp-like chute feeds the balls one-at-a-time to the hole in launching position. A plurality of lever members are pivoted intermediate their ends to the sides of the frame member about the central receptacle. One end of each lever member is exposed exteriorly of the frame member and defines a target area for striking by an object, e.g., throwing a bean bag at the target area. The opposite end of each lever member is disposed within the hollow frame member and defines a trigger adapted to strike the-underside of a ball positioned in the launching hole and propel the ball from the receptacle generally in the direction which the respective target area faces, in response to the target area being struck by an object.

20 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MISSILE ACTUATED TARGET LEVER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a skill type game, and more particularly to a target type game apparatus designed not only for the entertainment of and competition between a plurality of players but for developing dexterity and coordination of an individual player.

There presently are available various entertaining games which have projectiles of various sizes and shapes, such as balls, bean bags, darts, arrows, or the like, which are thrown or propelled toward a target means. A plurality of receiving positions or target areas are provided for the projectiles, and normally provide means for scoring the game. In some instances, rewards are simulated in response to striking or engaging a target area, such as, for instance, providing means for disseminating audible or visual signals when one or more or selected ones of the target areas are struck or engaged by a projectile thrown or propelled by a player. The game apparatus of the present invention is a skill type game of the target-type wherein projectiles are thrown or propelled at one or more target areas and provides new and improved means for rewarding" a player for hitting the target.

A principal object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a new and improved skill type game of the target type described herein.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a game apparatus which includes a frame member, target means on the frame member, and receptacle means on the frame member adapted to receive a ball or the like. Trigger means is operatively associated with the target means and the receptacle means to propel said ball from the receptacle means in response to said target means being struck by an object, such as a bean bag, or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of the character described wherein the target means generally faces away from one side of the frame member, with the receptacle means and trigger means being relatively positioned on the frame member so that the ball is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target means faces. With such a structure, considerably more incentive, entertainment and/or enjoyment are built into the game because a player who hits his respective target means, or any other player, may be required to catch the ball which is propelled from the receptacle. Such additional activity in playing the game aids in developing coordination of the individual players.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frame member is generally hollow, is designed for positioning on a floor, table, or the like, and the receptacle means has an open top and is disposed at the top of and generally centrally of the frame member. The receptacle has a hole in the bottom wall thereof opening to the interior of the hollow frame member to define a launching position for the balls, the diameter of the hole being smaller than the diameter of any one of the balls so that an individual ball will seat in the hole. A spiral ramp-type chute substantially surrounds the hole for feeding a plurality of balls one-at-a-time to the hole in launching position. The target means and trigger means are defined by opposite ends of a lever member pivoted intermediate said ends to the frame member. The target end of the lever is exposed exteriorly of the housing and defines a target area for striking with a bean bag, or other like projectile which can be thrown or otherwise propelled toward the target end of the lever. The inner end of the lever is disposed within the interior of the hollow frame member and is designed to strike the underside of a ball seated in the receptacle hole and propel the ball away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the respective target area faces (i.e., generally back toward the player who threw the object to strike the target end of the lever).

Preferably, a plurality of the aforesaid target-trigger lever members are disposed about the receptacle so as to propel balls from the hole in the receptacle in different directions away from the hollow frame member, back toward the respective players. In the embodiment of the invention shown herein, a pair of such lever members is provided on diametrically opposite sides of the hollow frame member.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game apparatus embodying the concepts of the present invention and including, in combination, a plurality of balls and a plurality of bean bags adapted for use as part of or in conjunction with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention, with a plurality of balls, shown in phantom, received in the receptacle portion thereof; and

FIG. 3 is a vertical central section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the game apparatus of the present invention is shown in the exemplary embodiment as including a generally hollow frame member or housing, generally designated 10, having an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 14. The frame member or housing is adapted for positioning on a floor, tabletop, or the like, whereby players of the game may standaway from the frame member and throw or otherwise propel projectiles at the target areas thereof, as described in greater detail hereinafter.

A receptacle means, generally designated 16, is defined by a recess in the top wall of the upper housing portion 12 so that the receptacle has an open top out of which balls 18, or other suitable objects, may be propelled. The receptacle 16 has a hole 16a in the bottom wall thereof, opening to the interior of the housing 10. The hole has a smaller diameter than the diameter of any one of the balls 18 so that an individual ball may seat in the hole. The hole thereby defines a launching position for the balls. The receptacle 16 also has a chute portion in the form of a spiral ramp 16b formed on the bottom wall of the receptacle 16 substantially surrounding the hole 16a to feed the balls one-at-a-time to the hole 16a in launching position, as best seen in FIG. 2.

At least one lever member, generaly designated 20, is pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof, as

at a pivot pin 22, to the housing below the receptacle 16. Each lever member has an outer end portion 20a exposed exteriorly of the housing 10 and defines a target means or target area which is adapted to be struck by an object, such as a bean bag 24 (FIG. 1), thrown or propelled by a player of the game. The inner end 20b of each lever 20 is disposed within the hollow housng 10 and defines a trigger means adapted to strike the underside of a ball 18 seated in the receptacle hole 16a to propel the ball from the receptacle in response to the target end 20a of the lever being struck by a bean bag or other suitable object. As described hereinafter, preferably a plurality of such lever members 20 are pivotally mounted on the housing 10 about the centrally located receptacle means 16.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the receptacle 16 and the trigger end 20b of any respective lever member 20 are oriented or disposed on the housing in such relative postions that a ball positioned in the receptacle hole 16a is propelled away from the housing generally in the same direction which the respective target end of the lever faces. More particularly, referring to FIG. 3, the right-hand lever 20 (as viewed in said FIGURE) is shown in a rest position adapted to be struck by an object, such as a bean bag 24 thrown by a player of the game. Should the bean bag strike the target end 20a of the lever 20, the target end will be driven downwardly in the direction of arrows A pivoting the lever about pivot pin 22. The opposite or trigger end 20b of the lever 20 will strike the underside of a ball seated in the receptacle hole 16 and propel the ball from the receptacle generally back in the direction which the respective target end 20a on the actuated lever faces (i.e., back toward the thrower of the bean bag which struck the target end of the lever). This is shown by the arrow B in FIG. 3 relative to the left-hand lever 20. More particularly, and referring specifically to the left-hand lever 20 in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the trigger end 20b of the lever is longer than the distance between the center of the receptacle hole 16a and the pivot axis (pin 22) of the lever. Upwardly extending tabs 200 are disposed on the extreme inner ends of the levers. The length of the trigger ends 20b of the levers and the tabs enable the levers to strike the far side of a ball seated in the receptacle hole and propel the ball back toward a throwing player.

It also can be seen that the inner or trigger ends 20b of the levers 20 are longer than the outer or target ends 20a of the lever so that the levers return by gravity to their rest positions (see the right-hand lever in FIG. 3) after being struck by a bean bag, or the like.

As stated above, preferably a plurality of the targettrigger lever members 20 are pivoted to the sides of the hollow housing 10 about the centrally located receptacle means 16 to enhance the playability of the game. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a pair of such levers are diametrically disposed on opposite sides of the housing 10 for playing by two players. One scheme of playing the game would be to permit the players to throw bean bags at the target areas as fast as they so desire in order to attempt to catch or capture as many of the balls from the receptacle means as possible. The number of captured balls could provide the means for scoring the game. Alternatively, each player may take turns throwing bean bags at his respective target ends 20a of the levers 20 to provide a more orderly game. In addition, an individual player could find considerable enjoyment by playing the game in solitaire fashion in an attempt to simply catch the balls which are propelled from the receptacle as the individual player strikes the target means by throwing bean bags or the like thereat.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. Game apparatus comprising:

a frame member;

receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball, said receptacle means including an open top and a bottom wall with a hole therein, said hole having a smaller diameter than that of the ball so that the ball can seat in the hole; and

a lever member pivoted intermediate its ends to said frame member, one end of said lever member comprising target means and exposed relative to the frame member adapted to be struck by an object, the other end of said lever member comprising trigger means and disposed below and relative to said hole so as to strike the underside of a ball seated therein and propel the ball from said receptacle means in response to the target means being struck by an object.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said target means generally faces away from one side of said frame member, and said receptacle means and trigger means are oriented on said frame member in such relative postions that said ball is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target means faces.

3. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger end of said lever is heavier than the target end of the lever so that the lever returns by gravity to a rest position after the trigger end thereof strikes the underside of the ball.

4. The game apparatus of claim 3 including a plurality of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member with the target ends thereof facing in different directions away from the frame member, the trigger ends of the lever members being effective to propel the ball generally in the same direction which the respective target end of the lever member faces.

5. The game apparatus of claim 4 wherein said receptacle means includes a chute portion for feeding a plurality of balls one-at-a-time to said hole in the bottom of the receptacle means.

6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein said chute portion comprises a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said hole.

7. The game apparatus of claim 3 including at least a pair of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member on diametrically opposite sides thereof whereby the target ends of said levers face in opposite directions so that a pair of players generally face each other while playing the game.

8. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame member is generally hollow, said target end of the lever being exposed exteriorly of the frame member, and said trigger end of the lever disposed within the frame member.

9. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target end of said lever member generally faces away from one side of said frame member, the distance between the center of the hole in said receptacle means and the pivot axis of said lever member and the distance between the trigger end and the pivot axis of said lever being such that a ball in said hole is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction 5 which the target end of the lever faces.

10. Game apparatus comprising:

a frame member;

receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball;

a plurality of target members on said frame member, each target member facing in a different direction away from the frame member;

individual trigger means operatively associated with each of said target members and disposed on the frame member relative to said receptacle means so that a respective trigger means is effective to propel said ball from the receptacle means generally in the same direction which the respective target member faces in response to the respective target member being struck by an object; and

a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.

11. Game apparatus comprising:

a frame member;

receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a plurality of balls, said receptacle means including means defining a launching position for receiving a single ball and means defining a chute for feeding balls one at a time to said launching position;

a plurality of target members on said frame member;

individual trigger means operatively associated with each of said target members and disposed relative to said receptacle means to propel a ball from the launching position on said receptacle means in response to the respective target member being struck by an object; and

a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.

12. The game apparatus of claim 11 wherein said receptacle has an open top with said launching position being generally centrally located relative thereto, and said chute comprising a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said central launching position.

13. Game apparatus comprising:

a frame member;

receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball, said receptacle means having an open top and a bottom wall with a hole in the bottom wall smaller in diameter than the diameter of said ball whereby the ball seats in said hole;

a plurality of target members on said member, each of said target members having one end of a lever member pivoted intermediate its ends to said frame member with said one end of the lever member exposd relative to the frame member for striking by an object; individual trigger means operatively associated with each of said target members and disposed relative to said receptacle means in response to the respective target member being struck by an object, said trigger means each comprising the opposite end of the respective target lever disposed relative to said hole so as to strike the underside of a ball positioned therein and propel the ball from said receptacle means when the target end of the lever is struck by an object; and

a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.

14. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherin the trigger end of said lever is heavier than the target end of the lever so that the lever returns by gravity to a rest position after the trigger end thereof strikes the underside of the ball.

15. The game apparatus of claim 14 including a plurality of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member with the target ends thereof facing in different directions away from the frame member, the trigger ends of the lever members being effective to propel the ball generally in the same direction which the respective target end of the lever member faces.

16. The game apparatus of claim 15 wherein said receptacle means includes a chute portion for feeding a plurality of balls one-at-a-time to said hole in the bottom of the receptacle means.

17. The game apparatus of claim 16 wherein said chute portion comprises a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said hole.

18. The game apparatus of claim 14 including at least a pair of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member on diametrically opposite sides thereof whereby the target ends of said levers face in opposite directions so that a pair of players generally face each other while playing the game.

19. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherein said frame member is generally hollow, said target end of the lever being exposed exteriorly of the frame member, and said trigger end of the lever disposed within the frame member.

20. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherein the target end of said lever member generally faces away from one side of said frame member, the distance between the center of the hole in said receptacle means and the pivot axis of said lever member and the distance between the trigger end and the pivot axis of said lever being such that a ball in said hole is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target end of the lever faces.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 7 43 Y Dated anuary 29, 1974 Inv fls) HOWARD J. MORRISON et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and "that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as show-n below:

Column 3, line 8, change "housng" to housing.

Column 5,. line 54, change "having" to -comprising.

Column 6, line 2, change "posd" to -posedf.

Column 6, line 3 an indented paragraph should follow "an object)";

Column 6, line 5, after "receptacle means" insert -to propel said ball from the receptaclemeans-.

Signed and. sealed this 11th day of June 197E.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLEI'CHER,JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 1 uscoMM-Dc 60376-P69 fi' U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: "I, O-SiC-JSI 

1. Game apparatus comprising: a frame member; receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball, said receptacle means including an open top and a bottom wall with a hole therein, said hole having a smaller diameter than that of the ball so that the ball can seat in the hole; and a lever member pivoted intermediate its ends to said frame member, one end of said lever member comprising target means and exposed relative to the frame member adapted to be struck by an object, the other end of said lever member comprising trigger means and disposed below and relative to said hole so as to strike the underside of a ball seated therein and propel the ball from said receptacle means in response to the target means being struck by an object.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said target means generally faces away from one side of said frame member, and said receptacle means and trigger means are oriented on said frame member in such relative postions that said ball is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target means faces.
 3. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the trigger end of said lever is heavier than the target end of the lever so that the lever returns by gravity to a rest position after the trigger end thereof strikes the underside of the ball.
 4. The game apparatus of claim 3 including a plurality of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member with the target ends thereof facing in different directions away from the frame member, the trigger ends of the lever members being effective to propel the ball generally in the same direction which the respective target end of the lever member faces.
 5. The game apparatus of claim 4 wherein said receptacle means includes a chute portion for feeding a plurality of balls one-at-a-time to said hole in the bottom of the receptacle means.
 6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein said chute portion comprises a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said hole.
 7. The game apparatus of claim 3 including at least a pair of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member on diametrically opposite sides thereof whereby the target ends of said levers face in opposite directions so that a pair of players generally face each other while playing the game.
 8. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame member is generally hollow, said target end of the lever being exposed exteriorly of the frame member, and said trigger end of the lever disposed within the frame member.
 9. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target end of said lever member generally faces away from one side of said frame member, the distance between the center of the hole in said receptacle means and the pivot axis of said lever member and the distance between the trigger end and the pivot axis of said lever being such that a ball in said hole is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target end of the lever faces.
 10. Game apparatus comprising: a frame member; receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball; a plurality of target members on said frame member, each target member facing in a different direction away from the frame member; individual trigger means operatively associated with eaCh of said target members and disposed on the frame member relative to said receptacle means so that a respective trigger means is effective to propel said ball from the receptacle means generally in the same direction which the respective target member faces in response to the respective target member being struck by an object; and a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.
 11. Game apparatus comprising: a frame member; receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a plurality of balls, said receptacle means including means defining a launching position for receiving a single ball and means defining a chute for feeding balls one at a time to said launching position; a plurality of target members on said frame member; individual trigger means operatively associated with each of said target members and disposed relative to said receptacle means to propel a ball from the launching position on said receptacle means in response to the respective target member being struck by an object; and a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.
 12. The game apparatus of claim 11 wherein said receptacle has an open top with said launching position being generally centrally located relative thereto, and said chute comprising a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said central launching position.
 13. Game apparatus comprising: a frame member; receptacle means on said frame member adapted to receive a ball, said receptacle means having an open top and a bottom wall with a hole in the bottom wall smaller in diameter than the diameter of said ball whereby the ball seats in said hole; a plurality of target members on said member, each of said target members having one end of a lever member pivoted intermediate its ends to said frame member with said one end of the lever member exposd relative to the frame member for striking by an object; individual trigger means operatively associated with each of said target members and disposed relative to said receptacle means in response to the respective target member being struck by an object, said trigger means each comprising the opposite end of the respective target lever disposed relative to said hole so as to strike the underside of a ball positioned therein and propel the ball from said receptacle means when the target end of the lever is struck by an object; and a plurality of objects adapted to be thrown at said target members by players of the game.
 14. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherin the trigger end of said lever is heavier than the target end of the lever so that the lever returns by gravity to a rest position after the trigger end thereof strikes the underside of the ball.
 15. The game apparatus of claim 14 including a plurality of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member with the target ends thereof facing in different directions away from the frame member, the trigger ends of the lever members being effective to propel the ball generally in the same direction which the respective target end of the lever member faces.
 16. The game apparatus of claim 15 wherein said receptacle means includes a chute portion for feeding a plurality of balls one-at-a-time to said hole in the bottom of the receptacle means.
 17. The game apparatus of claim 16 wherein said chute portion comprises a spiral ramp substantially surrounding said hole.
 18. The game apparatus of claim 14 including at least a pair of said lever members pivotally mounted on said frame member on diametrically opposite sides thereof whereby the target ends of said levers face in opposite directions so that a pair of players generally face each other while playing the game.
 19. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherein said frame member is generally hollow, said target end of the lever being exposed exteriorly of the frame member, and said trigger end of the lever disposed within the frame membeR.
 20. The game apparatus of claim 13 wherein the target end of said lever member generally faces away from one side of said frame member, the distance between the center of the hole in said receptacle means and the pivot axis of said lever member and the distance between the trigger end and the pivot axis of said lever being such that a ball in said hole is propelled away from the frame member generally in the same direction which the target end of the lever faces. 